Description
Book SynopsisThis is a major survey of the barbarian migrations in the west and their role in the creation of early medieval Europe. Drawing on a broad range of historical and archaeological sources, Guy Halsall outlines pre-migration society, the causes and mechanics of movement, and the process of settlement.
Trade Review'… the rich and complex work of a meticulous, original, and daring historian, … Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West should be read by anyone interested the early middle ages, the historical use of archaeological evidence, theories and practices of ethnicity, and finally, in Roman Empire and its ultimate collapse.' Speculum
'This book is important not only as a systematic statement of important current views on how the last Mediterranean empire of antiquity devolved into a series of recognisably European polities, but also for its impressive fusion of seemingly disparate archaeological and literary/historical materials. A genuinely important contribution to its field, by striving to be accessible to those outside its discipline, this book should contribute beneficially to wider discussions of historical change.' English Historical Review
Table of ContentsPart I. Romans and Barbarians in the Imperial World: 1. Introduction: how the west was lost and where it got us; 2. Defining identities; 3. The late Roman Empire in the west; 4. Society beyond the frontier; 5. Romans and Barbarians before 376; Part II. A World Renegotiated: Western Europe, 376–526: 6. 376–82: The Gothic crisis; 7. 383–410: The crisis of the empire; 8. 410–55: The triumph of the generals; 9. 455–80: The parting of Gaul and Italy; 10. 480–550: Kingdoms of the empire; 11. Provincial society in the long fifth century; 12. Beyond the old frontier; Part III. Romans and Barbarians in the Post-Imperial World: 13. Mechanisms of migration and settlement; 14. New kingdoms, new identities, new peoples?; 15. The roots of failure: a changed world.
